Nov. 19, 2011 - Concordia-Chicago's women's basketball team embarked on their new season with two games at the Webster University Tip-Off Tournament in St. Louis.

Opening night on Friday brought with it an exciting 47-45 victory over host Webster. Concordia jumped out to an early lead as Krystyna Rickett (Sandusky, MI/H.S.) drilled a three and then assisted on Cristina Calabrese's (Schiller Park, IL/East Leyden) jumper. The Gorloks came back to take a couple of brief leads, but Kassy Koehler (Belvidere, IL/Rockford Lutheran)  hit on another three to put the Cougars in front for good at 22-19. Bobbie May (Sandusky, MI/H.S.) and Koehler added baskets in the final minute of the half to give Concordia a 26-22 lead at the break.

Rickett and Calabrese began the second half with baskets as Concordia's lead topped out at eight. The lead would get no bigger as the Cougars struggled through 27 percent shooting for the half. The Gorloks continued to fight their way back and finally caught the Cougars at 44-44 on Megan Willett's basket with 2:33 remaining.

Concordia would pull this game out at the foul line. Calabrese's free throw at the 1:17 mark put the Cougars in the lead. Single free throws by Claire Mackey (Shelton, NE/Heartland Lutheran) and April Broska (New Boston, MI/Lutheran South) then iced it for the Cougars as the Gorloks could not answer beyond a free throw by Maggie Zehner just ahead of the final buzzer.

Rickett led all scorers with 15 points while Calabrese chipped in with 10. The Cougars limited the hosts to 25 percent shooting in the second half on 6-24 in securing the victory.

In Saturday's game against Rust College from Mississippi, it was the Cougars that were plagued with shooting difficulties throughout. Calabrese gave Concordia a quick 2-0 lead, but Rust scored the next eight points while the Cougars missed their next eight shots. Later in the half, a 13-0 run by Rust would blow the game open. The Bearcats led 37-15 at the half and cruised to a 72-30 victory.

Concordia will open the home portion of its schedule Tuesday night when they take on Eureka College.